Robert Connell Baldrige, 1924-2005

RG1579.AM: Robert Connell Baldrige, 1924-2005

Reminiscence:
Omaha, Douglas County, Neb.: Soldier
Size: 1 item

BACKGROUND NOTE

Robert C. Baldrige, son of H. Malcolm and Regina Baldrige, was born in Omaha, Nebraska on November 9, 1924. He attended Omaha Central High School, participating in ROTC training, before transferring to Hotchkiss Prep School. While a student at Yale, Baldrige entered military service. During World War II, he served over two years in Europe with the 34th Field Artillery Battalion, 9th Infantry Division. Baldrige received the Bronze Star and left military service as a 2nd Lieutenant. Robert C. Baldrige died on February 19, 2005.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection consists of a reminiscence entitled, "Victory Road." This reminiscence traces Robert C. Baldrige's military activities before and during World War II. Included are memories of a childhood visit to Fort Robinson where he witnessed the camp's remount station activities in the 1920s and his ROTC training at Omaha Central High School. The bulk of Baldrige's reminiscence deals with his World War II career, from his basic training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina through his involvement at Normandy, and during the Northern France, Rhineland, and Ardennes Campaigns, advancement through central Europe, and occupation duty in Germany at the close of the war. Copies of maps, photographs, and newspaper clippings supplement Baldrige's narrative.